New Era Colorado

Five really great, state-based youth organizations have decided to join forces to create a loose, national federation that can leverage economies of scale to the benefit of all organizations. In other words, the Oregon Bus Project, Forward Montana, New Era Colorado, The Washington Bus, and New Mexico Youth Organized just formed like Voltron to create the Bus Federation.

From their website:

The 2008 election marks the beginning of a historic opportunity, where young, progressive voters in Western states can fundamentally reshape the political landscape on a local and national level.

The Bus Federation, comprised of grassroots youth political organizations in five Western states, will draw upon its proven models of youth organizing to activate young progressive voters, develop the next generation of progressive leaders, and mobilize for immediate term electoral impact – laying the foundations for local and national breakthroughs in the 2008 election cycle and beyond.

You'll also note that some of these orgs come from important battleground states where the youth vote will be a key constituency up and down the ticket this cycle. If you're in those states, you should get involved or at least be aware of what your local Bus Fed org is doing and make sure that your own work is complementary.

...

While the Federation structure enables the different state organizations to tailor their programs to their states' unique political landscapes, it also enables the member organizations to share core programs – such as Bus Trips, the Trick or Vote Halloween Canvass, and Alternative Candidate Debates – as well as organizational best practices, common branding and messaging, joint purchasing, and key metrics of performance.

The website is pretty sparse now - just a shingle on the web, really. But if by creating a national federation, these local organizations can spread/share best practices, and save money on swag, polling, voter file subscriptions, etc., then this is a hugely important step in scaling up good work in youth organizing.

Today is Super Tuesday, but it is also Fat Tuesday, the peak of Mardi Gras. Fully cognizant of the fact that these should not at all conflict, the folks at Living Liberally, Young Voter PAC, Forward Montana, New Era Colorado, Democrats Work, and Traction are throwing election watching parties all over the country tonight.

From the Super Fat Tuesday website:

Super Fat Tuesday. Because election day should be celebrated. Because people want to experience politics together. Because New Orleans needs to be remembered. Because these campaigns have been so excessive, they are super fat...

So far there are over 27 parties scheduled in 19 states.

As for myself, this morning I schlepped over to the Municipal building in Downtown Brooklyn and cast my ballot for Sen. Obama. Tonight I'll probably stop by the Drinking Liberally party at the Tank in lower Manhattan before heading home to cover the results late into the night. Maybe I'll see some of you there.

Happy Thanksgiving - now go register!

A new PSA from New Era Colorado advertising the Feb 5th Caucus, hey... sex sells.

The NBC Nightly News and the Today Show are about to do a piece on the new trend in western states turning blue. They were tipped off by a great piece in the Denver Post about organizations like Forward Montana and New Era Colorado.

"The descendants of the rebels themselves - today's Western youth - are leading the charge for a more Democratic West. If the trends continue, the Republican Party may find itself in a world of hurt."

So NBC is asking what is going on and is the movement in the west a trend or a blip. We talk a lot on here about numbers we see move in various communities. Mike just talked to us about Evangelical Youth dropping their previous support of the President like cold Prada such that its caused a drop overall in Republicanism by 15% nationwide. So many different people and groups and communities are leaving the GOP but it doesn't always equal big win. That said - a win is a win and by all accounts trending red to more blue means a beautiful indigo wonderland of progressivism.

ED of Forward Montana and renown blogger Matt Singer says its due in large part to

"young progressive voters reacting hugely against one party rule"

And how else do you bring the youth to the choices but by utilizing alternative forms of outreach. Such as hosting CANDIDATES GONE WILD!!! Advertised by asking FMT members:

Are you "sick of boring candidate forums? Wish that you could learn about the candidates, have a beer, watch some comedy, and mingle with hundreds of other community members all in one jam-packed evening? You're Gonna LOVE Candidates Gone WILD!"

And from what it seems - they did:

"By making policy process and voting more understandable, we think we can create an atmosphere where caring about issues is cool.”

My question for people in my neck of the woods is how this kind of outreach and this astounding progress out west will effect Heartland trends.

So – Last week Colorado’s House and Senate approved the bill that will reduce the age requirement to run for office meaning it now goes to a full vote on the next state-wide ballot. This was part of the ambitious legislative agenda by a new organization in the state called New Era Colorado and this is indeed a new era in Colorado.

Colorado is one of six states that require candidates to be 25. All other states have age minimums of 21 or 18. According to the Colorado Daily.

”The CU student government's liaison to state legislature, Ryan Biehle, 20, thinks more young candidates will emerge.

“Once the gates are open people will take to it, I guess,” Biehle said.”

So, curious, as I tend to be, I decided to check out some younger candidates and how they are different – better in some ways.